Mrs. Black World Geography Room 119

1. Mrs. Black World Geography Room 119 • Course Overview: • World Geography is an exploration of the world’s people, places, and environments. This • course concentrates on the study of the world’s countries and regions, landforms, climates, • natural resources, cultures, and political/economic systems. • Welcome to World Geography! I look forward to an exciting and challenging year. This is • my 10th year here at Walker-Grant. Every year I try to bring fresh and new ideas into the • classroom. I want to outline the rules and expectations I have for students in my classroom. • Please take time to read this letter with your child so there will be no surprises as the year • progresses. I am asking that both you and your child sign and date the last page of this letter • so that I know both have an understanding of these rules and expectations. I am a HUGE • advocate of e-mail as it is the quickest form of communication. I have included my contact • information for you to keep handy… communication is so important. Now, onto the Black • classroom rules and expectations! • Materials – • Two binders, both 1½ inch or less! One to keep in the classroom. • One to bring to class EVERYDAY! • Two packages 12 count colored pencils. (Crayola is the best!) • 1 subject spiral notebook with 3 holes or a composition notebook. • Zippered pouch to hold colored pencils. • Tissues • Hand Sanitizer • Homework - Students will be assigned reading, map worksheets, and • various other activities throughout the week. Homework should be • completed prior to the beginning of class on the due date(usually • the next day). It is important that homework is completed and brought to • class! Many times I give homework quizzes and students will need • homework /map to complete quiz. If homework is not done, quiz grade • suffers. Copying of other students homework is cheating! I will give a zero • to both students if this is observed; I will contact parents and notify • administration. I encourage students to ask me if they have any questions • about the assignment. Homework received more than a day late will be • recorded as a zero. • Mrs. Black’s Website - http://www.cityschools.com/pblack/ - Subscribe using your • Email to stay current on what is going on in class! • Grading System – Grades will be weighted as follows: Grading Scale(New!) • 10% - Homework 90-100 - A • 25% - Quizzes 80-89 - B • 30% - Classwork 70-79 - C • 35% - Tests 60-69 - D • 59 below - F • Refer to the Student Handbook • for the complete breakdown.

2. Attendance: World Geography is a High School credit course; therefore we follow • James Monroe’s attendance policy. Students may fail the class if they exceed • 4 or more absences in a Nine Weeks. Excused Absences may be made up by • attending Saturday School. It is important that students make every effort to attend • every class. However, if a student is absent, it is THE STUDENT’S responsibility to • get and turn in their make-up work. As I cannot take class instructional time to talk with • Individuals about missed work, please see me before school, come to class early, or arrange • to stay after school so that I can assist you properly. Do not wait until class starts to ask • “What did I miss?” Find a responsible classmate who will let you copy his/her notes when you • have been absent. I will follow the school’s make-up work policy. This policy gives a student • one day for every day of absence to make up work. • Class Rules – • Be on time! • Be prepared. Everyday bring pencil/pen, binder, and textbook!(no class set!) • Always try your best and participate in class. • RESPECT EVERYONE! This is a huge deal… students should show respect toward • one another and the teacher. We need to maintain a positive atmosphere. • Not showing proper respect for classmates or teachers WILL result • in disciplinary action. • Focus on Geography. This means keep other class assignments and personal notes • in your locker. • Raise hand to speak. Listen while others speak. • I will dismiss the class. • No phone calls or texting! Parents – This is includes messages from you! Leave a message • in the front office if you need to get a message to your student! It WILL get to them! • Food/Drinks in Classroom – NO food, or drinks in the classroom, unless there is a medical • excuse presented. I WILL allow WATER ONLY(no flavor packets or Gatorade). Make sure • it is filled prior to class. I will allow gum as long as I do not hear or see it. I will ask students • to dispose of gum if it becomes a distraction in my classroom. • Cell Phones - Cell phones should be turned off and out of view. If students • choose to use their cell phone in class(this includes checking the time), the phone • will be turned over to an administrator. • Consequences – If a student chooses not to follow these expectations, the • following consequences will apply. • Verbal warning • Student Support Intervention Program violation form completed. • Severe offenses-Discipline Referral • Parents are strongly encouraged to contact me with any questions or • concerns. You can contact me by email at pblack@cityschools.com, or you • may call the school at 372-1145 x2268 and leave a message. • I look forward to a great year! • Please complete and sign the next page and return to • Mrs. Black by Thursday, September 4th. Thanks!

3. Student Name ___________________________ Class Period _________________ I have read and understand the rules and expectations for the 2014/2015 school year for Mrs. Black’s World Geography class. Student’s signature: ______________________________ Parent’s signature: _______________________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Student Information Sheet To be completed by the STUDENT: Please print your full name. ___________________________ What name would you like to go by? ____________________ What is your favorite subject in school? __________________ In which clubs do you participate? ______________________ In which sports do you participate? _____________________ Do you have any brothers or sisters? ___________________ If so, what are their names and ages ____________________ To be completed by the PARENT/GUARDIAN: Please complete the following so that I may contact you if needed. Thank you. Parent/Guardian Name ______________________________ Address __________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Home phone number ________________________________ Work phone number ________________________________ Cell/Other number __________________________________ E-mail address _____________________________________ How is the best way to contact you? ____________________ When is the best time to call you? _____________________ Please note below anything that would be helpful for me to know about your child. Return this form only to Mrs. Black!